Crystal Palace Boss Oliver Glasner has made his first move since being appointed as manager, by bringing back a prominent cult hero to England. Emanuel Pogatetz, the ex-Middlesbrough and West Ham player, is set to join Glasner’s backroom staff at Crystal Palace.
Glasner was confirmed as the new manager of Crystal Palace yesterday, following the departure of Roy Hodgson. The Austrian manager will be announcing his full coaching staff in due course, but reports suggest that Pogatetz will be a part of it.
Pogatetz, who played for Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2010, became a fan favorite during his time at the club. He made 158 appearances for Boro and left a lasting impression on the fans. His time in England also included a brief loan spell at West Ham in 2013, where he made six appearances.
Since retiring from professional football in 2019, Pogatetz has transitioned into coaching. He began his coaching career as an assistant manager at Austrian side FC Juniors OO. He then held No. 2 roles at LASK Linz and SKN St Polten.
The news of Pogatetz’s return to England and reunion with Glasner has delighted fans, especially those who remember him fondly from his time at Middlesbrough. One Boro fan expressed their excitement by saying, “Pogatetz will be the Palace assistant manager. Absolute hero back in the day him. Loved him.”
Glasner’s appointment as Crystal Palace manager has been met with enthusiasm from the club and its supporters. In his statement upon joining the club, Glasner expressed his excitement about working with the talented squad, meeting the supporters, and experiencing the atmosphere at Selhurst Park.
Glasner has wasted no time in getting involved with the club. He attended Palace’s recent match against Everton, although he did not take charge. Instead, he watched the game from the director’s box alongside Steve Parish and Mark Bright, familiarizing himself with the club and its operations.
The next challenge for Crystal Palace under Glasner’s management will be their match against Tottenham Hotspur on March 3. Pogatetz will likely play a crucial role in preparing the team for this encounter and contributing to the overall success of the club.
With the appointment of Glasner and the inclusion of Pogatetz in the coaching staff, Crystal Palace fans have reason to be optimistic about the future. The combination of Glasner’s managerial expertise and Pogatetz’s experience as a player and coach could prove to be a winning formula for the Eagles. As the new era begins at Selhurst Park, excitement is building among the fans and anticipation is high for what lies ahead.